Sierra Nevada Walking Holiday
Join us on an invigorating walking holiday through Spain’s magnificent Sierra Nevada region. On this 7-night holiday of a lifetime, we’ll explore the picturesque hillside town of Capileira, enjoy the breathtaking views of the northern face of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and hike through the scenic valley of Taha del Pitres. Five packed lunches will be included and our group will be accompanied by a local, expert guide to lead us to some of the most spectacular and unspoiled landscapes within this incredible region. We’ll also enjoy an excursion to the medieval city of Grenada, and have a chance to tour the city’s most famous landmark, the Alhambra. If you’re looking for a trip that provides equal parts adventure and culture, this walking holiday to the Sierra Nevada mountains is the perfect choice!
This trip will offer moderate routes on each walking day and is ideal for moderately experienced or experienced walkers. The average daily walking distance on moderate walks is between 6km – 13km, with a maximum daily walking duration of up to 5 hours.
What’s Included:
- Booking advice from your Travel Escapes travel advisor
- Return direct flights from Dublin to Malaga
- 10kg checked-in bag per person
- 7 nights in a 3* hotel in Lanjaron in the Alpujarras region
- Half board
- Embark on 5 days of guided walking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
- See incredible sights like Poqueira Valley & Taha de Pitres.
- Enjoy a full-day excursion to the city of Granada with entrance to the Alhambra.
- Services of our tour leader
- Services of local tour guide
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Booking Remarks
A non-refundable / non-transferable deposit €300 ppPrices are per person based on two sharing.
Single Supplement on request
Balance due 16 weeks before departure
Optional insurance available (terms & conditions apply)
Taxes, prices & itinerary subject to change
Booking terms & conditions apply
Travel Insurance is not included
TD
Good to Know
Although the itinerary is planned, some slight changes may occur due to circumstances outside of our control.All of our tours include some level of walking activity and may include ascending/descending steps. Guests should be in relatively good health and have adequate mobility.
Itinerary
Malaga, Spain
Fly to Málaga, transfer to Lanjaron
Full dayLet’s begin our walking adventure with a flight to Malaga, Spain. Upon arrival, we will be met by our local representative in the arrivals area of the airport before being transferred to our hotel in Lanjaron. Lanjaron is the ideal base for anyone in search of clean air, mountain views and authentic Spanish culture. Depending on the arrival time of our flight, we may have some free time at leisure to settle in and independently explore our new surroundings.
Explore the Acequias in the Lanjarón area
MorningJoin us for an orientation meeting. After breakfast, there will be an introductory gathering organised with our local expert mountain guides to discuss the walking routes we can expect throughout our holiday. Details will be discussed on the expected terrain and difficulty of the walking routes. Packed lunches will be included on all walking days throughout our holiday.
Explore the Acequias in the Lanjarón area
Full dayLet’s get started! Our hike today begins as we set off from our hotel on foot, walking out of the town of Lanjarón. During today’s walk, we will learn all about the “acequias” (irrigation ditches) in the area, many of which date back to the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries, when the Iberian Peninsula was dominated by the Moors. Walking by the “acequias” is an extremely pleasant experience as we learn about the history of the region while taking in some magnificent views. With the soft trickle of water by our side and fine trees that have grown along the routes, we will all enjoy a fine day’s trekking. The group will follow the “acequias” of Aceituno to Secarta (packed lunch included).
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 11.5 km / Ascent: 590m / Duration: 4.5 hours
Discover Poqueira Valley
Full DayLet us take you on another outdoor adventure. Today, we will explore the three villages in the beautiful valley of Poqueira. The group will start in Pampaneira and after a short tour in this delightful “Pueblo Blanco” (white village), we will embark on our walk up the valley, passing the pretty town of Bubión and finally reaching the highest village, Capileira. The beauty of these villages is not only in their quirky architecture, but also in their stunning location, affording excellent views both up and down the valley. After Capileira, we will then cross the valley over one of the quaint little bridges spanning the river, which gives its name to the valley, and make our way back down, completing a circular route (packed lunch included).
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 8km / Ascent: 320m / Duration: 5 hours
Hike the Northern Face of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Full DayJoin us to explore the northern face of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The landscape here is different to the one we encountered on our previous walks. Our adventure takes us higher up, so we really get the feeling of a high mountain, with valleys carved from glaciers and grand open spaces. In fact, we will be in valleys parallel to the ski pistes. The group will start the day by visiting the botanical garden at Hoya de la Pedraza, where we will walk along its paths and learn all about the local flora, including threatened species. We will then transfer to the source of the San Juan River valley and embark on a 6 km high mountain circular walk, finishing at the San Francisco Craggs, which has excellent views (packed lunch included).
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 5 km / Ascent: 200 m / Duration: 3 hours
Lanjaron Walking Tour
Full DayLet’s embark on another invigorating walk! We will start by visiting the ruins of the old Moorish fortress that defended Lanjarón. After that, we will cross the river walking through orchards until we reach the hermitage of Tajo de la Cruz, which has impressive views. Walking through the valley, we will return to Lanjarón. We can expect to encounter some more “acequias” today as well as walking on terraced almond and olive groves, which are an important part of the local economy. The group will end the round trip entering Lanjarón via one of the most popular of the local water fountains (packed lunch included).
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 9 km / Ascent: 445m / Duration: 4hours
Walk the medieval routes of Taha de Pitres
Full DayLets’ discover Taha de Pitres! The village known as Taha de Pitres is composed of 7 small dwellings that have been connected by paths which have been used for many centuries. An important number of these paths have the local specific name of “escarihuelas”, which zig-zag up and down and across the river. We will begin our walk in Busquistar, and after following the road for some time will then veer off to the right. The path is beautiful from here onwards, as it breaks off to the “Mezquitilla” area, and upon returning to our main path, the group will descend through the forest to Atalbéitar, a dwelling of just 5 families, and one of the most authentic places in the Sierra Nevada. From here, we round off the walk via the quaint villages of Ferreirola and Mecina Fondales before returning to Busquistar (packed lunch included).
Difficulty: Moderate / Distance: 9 km / Ascent: 350m / Duration: 5 hours
Granada, Spain
Visit Granada and the Alhambra Palace
Full DayJoin us for a day of cultural sightseeing in the city of Granada, set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and the last stronghold of the Moors before they were finally expelled from Spain in 1492. Let’s take a walk with our guide in the city centre, where we can visit highlights such as Spain’s first Renaissance cathedral and the Capilla Real with the sepulchre of Ferdinand and Isabella, the legendary catholic king and queen who sponsored Christopher Columbus’ voyages to America. After you have some free time for lunch in one of Granada’s many tapas bar, join us for a visit to the Alhambra, where an official guide will show us the unique architectural treasures of this magnificent fortress and also the ‘Generalife’, the spectacularly situated summer palace with its beautiful fountains and gardens.
Malaga, Spain
Return home
Full DayDepending on the time of our departure flight, you may have some free time to explore Lanjaron independently at your leisure. Afterwards, it will be time for us to say adios to Spain! We will transfer by coach to the airport for your flight home. We hope you leave with wonderful memories of our active adventure together in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
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